Scottish Rite Masonry Illustrated - The Masonic Trowel

CHAPTER XXXIV
NINETEENTH DEGREE on GRAND PONTIFF.
INITIATiON.
[Master of Ceremony retires and prepares the candidate
as a Knight Rose Croix, conducts him to the
door, knocks six and one.]
Junior Deacon—(Knocks six and one, opens the door
and says:) Who hails?
Master of Ceremonies—A Knight Rose Croix, who
desires to attain the degree of Grand Pontiff.
Junior Deacon—How long hath he served?
Master of Ceremonies—Three years.
Junior Deacon—Where?
Master of Ceremonies—Tn Ihe ranks of Truth.
Junior Deacon—How armed?
Master of Ceremonies—With Charity, Hope and
Faith.
Junior Deacon—Against i~hat enemies?
Master of Ceremonies—Intolerance and oppression.
Mete 202.—’‘Grand Pontiff.” (Scotch Masonry. 1—The brat degree conferred
in the Cousiatory of Princes of the Royal Secret. Scoith Masonry
and the 111th upon the catalogue of that system its officers are a Thrice
Puissant Grand Pontiff and a Warden. The members sri’ termed True
and Faithful Brothers. The historical lessons are drewn from the SonIc
of ReyclatlOtiS The assembly is styled a Chapter The hangings are
blue, sprinkled with gold stars The members are clothed in white
linen with blue fillets. embroidered with 12 golden stars Jewel. a
square plate of gold having on one side the word Aiph,. on the other
the word Omega Roars, from the hoar foretold to the hour accom
pushed. The draft of the lodge represents a square city’ with 12 gates.
three on a side; in the midst a tree bearing twelve manner of fruits.”
—Mania’s Masonic Dictionary. Article Grand ?ontuff.
INITIATION. 17
Junior Deacon—Why doth lie now desire to attain
the degree of Grand Pontiff?
Master of Ceremonies—That he may be better qualilied
to serve the cause of truth and light.
Junior Deacon—What other weapons does lie need
than Charity, hope and Faith?
Junior Deacon—Then let him take his first le~soii
now, and wait with patience until the Thrice Puissant
is informed of his request, and his will ascertaint’d.
[Junior Deacon shuts the door, goes to the Thrice Puissant,
and the same questions and answers are given,
e~tcept the last to be patient and wait.]
Thrice Puissant—Since his desires are commendable,
faithful and true brother Junior Deacon, let him enter.
[Junior Deacon opens the door, the candidate enters
with the Master of Ceremonies who conducts him twelve
times round the Chapter, halting at one of the columns
at each circuit. At the fourth column.]
Master of Ceremonies—Judah
55’ shall return again to
his first estate, when the empire of evil ends; Light and
not darkness is eternal ; Truth and not error is immortal.
(At the third column.)
Master of Ceremonies—Issachar shall once more be
free, when sin and suffering are known no longer; far
in the future unto us, that day of light is now with God.
Time is a succession of points, each in the center of
eternity; evil lasts only during time. The reign of God
is measured by eternity. (At the ninth column.)
Master of Cere,nonies—Zebulon, shall find peace, as
ships that come out of great storms, and furl their sails
Mobs 203.—”Judah and flenjamin. Of the twelve tribes of Israel
who acre at various limen. carried into capitivity. only two, those of
Judab and Benjamin. returned under Zerubbahel In rebuild the second
Temple. Hence. tn the high degrees, which are founded on events that
occurned at and after the building of the second Ternp Ic the allusions
sre made only to the tribes of Juilab and P”njamln “—Mackey’s E
pedla of 2’resonasonry. Article Juda.h and Senjaman. ye